FRANKLIN (Somerset) - Ferrero, the international candy company, broke ground Thursday on the expansion of its industrial facility on Cottontail Lane.

The $9 million expansion, which will bring the facility to 67,000 square feet, will add nearly 100 jobs, according to a press release issued by the company.

Ferrero has invested $12 million into the facility for the launch of Kinder Joy, an egg-shaped package that holds a sweat treat on one side and a surprise toy on the other. Ferrero had previously offered Kinder Joy only outside the United States.

Since making its debut in this country last November, more than 90 million Kinder Joy eggs have been sold, exceeding all sales targets, according to the company.

"We are proud to do business in Franklin Township, and we're thrilled to be expanding our existing operations here," said Paul Chibe, president and CEO of Ferrero North America, in the press release. "This renovation demonstrates the ongoing commitment Ferrero has to doing business in the state of New Jersey, and we're confident this will continue to be a successful partnership for us all.

Also in attendance at the ground breaking ceremony U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman Franklin Mayor Phillip Kramer, Somerset County Freeholders Patricia Walsh and Mark Caliguire and Michael Kerwin, president and CEO of Somerset County Business Partnership.

Ferrero, based in Italy, entered the United States market in 1969 with Tic Tac mints. The company also produces Ferrero Rocher fine hazelnut chocolates and Nutella hazenlut spread.

Ferrero, now the third-largest candy company in the world, employs more than 30,000 people in 55 countries.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ (pictured), Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Oink and Moo BBQ

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ (pictured), Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Oink and Moo BBQ

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ (pictured), Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Oink and Moo BBQ

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's (pictured) and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's (pictured) and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's (pictured) and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's (pictured) and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's (pictured) and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys (pictured) — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Khattab Abbuatieh

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys (pictured) — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Khattab Abbuattieh

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co., Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys (pictured) — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Khattab Abuattieh

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Lombardi Pizza Co.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Lombardi Pizza Co.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Lombardi Pizza Co.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Lombardi Pizza Co.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Lombardi Pizza Co.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of the Lombardi Pizza Co.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Lombardi Pizza Co.

Already a popular staple at festivals, private celebrations and community events, several food trucks have put down roots in local brick and mortar establishments. While they may have started mobile, these Central Jersey ventures — Oink and Moo BBQ, Lombardi Pizza Co. (pictured), Aunt Dee Dee's and The Halal Guys — now have permanent physical addresses where customers can come and dine. ~Courtesy of Lombardi Pizza Co.

Earlier this year, Ferrero completed its acquisition of Nestlé USA's confectionery business, which includes more than 20 brands, including Butterfinger, BabyRuth, 100Grand, Raisinets, Wonka and the exclusive right to the Crunch brand.